Celebrating ethnic diversity in Exeter and bringing people together to promote anti-racism will be the key themes at this year’s Exeter Respect Festival, which will take place on Saturday 12th July at the city’s Phoenix Centre. This year the festival is dedicated to the memory of black teenager Stephen Lawrence, who was murdered by racists 10 years ago, as a commitment for building a future for Exeter that is free from racism and racial hostility.

The Respect festival has a serious anti-racism message, but it is also a community awareness event to celebrate the fact that Exeter is rapidly becoming a vibrant and dynamic cosmopolitan city, with a rich blend of ethnic culture and diversity.

In what is described as, the biggest multicultural event of it’s kind ever held in Exeter, the festival aims to offer something for everyone, including an impressive ‘world music’ line-up, free daytime activities for children and families, music workshops for young people, ethnic food stalls, community information and cultural awareness stands, and plenty more.

OPENING EVENT:
The Respect festival kicks of with a colourful and noisy ‘opening procession’ which leaves Bedford Square at 10.00am, heading for the Festival venue at the Phoenix Arts Centre in Gandy Street. All are welcome to attend the procession and are asked to come along with drums, horns, bells and whistles and to be prepared to make some noise.

DAYTIME PROGRAMME : 10.30am – 5.00pm
The Exeter Respect Group in conjunction with members of minority ethnic community groups from the city and the surrounding area, have organised a programme of free activities for children, families and young people, including:

Children & Family Workshops
DEVON MULTICULTURAL FORUM in conjunction with local minority ethnic groups will be providing a range of children’s’ activities workshops using their ‘famous’ multicultural boxes, which contain items of clothing, food, instruments games and music, books and much more to provide valuable insights into the livelihood and culture of many diverse parts of our world.

Storytelling:
The DRAGON’S TAIL THEATRE will present family stories from around the world, inside their amazing ‘global stories circle’ with tales from African, India, Australia and Europe.

Youth African Drumming & Music Workshops
Exciting music and dance workshops for young (and not so young) people, led by AYODELE SCOTT, CHARTWELL DUTIRO and other local musicians working together with young people in the ‘Rhythms for Respect’ project – a new initiative for promoting anti racism through music, dance and song. Anyone who plays a musical instrument is asked to bring it along to the festival to get themselves involved in this exciting new project.

Live Music and Dance Stage:
A global gathering of live music and dance from people from all corners of the world. Something for everyone – by everyone, including Bhangra, African, Junk-Funk, Celtic, Samba and ‘free open stage’ for young people wishing to make their own musical contribution to promoting racial equality and anti racism. Included in the line up will be the Beatbreakers – an exciting high-energy breakdancing crew, featuring young Roma and Kosovan refugees.

Plus:
Cultural and racial awareness displays and exhibitions, community information and campaign stands, ethnic food stalls, free aromatherapy and massage sessions, fair trade goods, hair braiding and lots more.

Day Finale Event – 5.00pm : Rally for Respect!
A global community gathering to launch 1000 special ‘black and white’ balloons, carrying children and young people’s ‘Messages of Hope’, assisted by a BIG musical send off.

EVENING PROGRAMME : 8.00pm – 1.00am
A music celebration by people of the world! The Future Sound of Exeter music collective have joined forces with Exeter Respect Group to turn day two of this year’s Midsummer Night’s Festival into Exeter Respect Festival 2003: a world music celebration which values and promotes the ethnic diversity of our community. There will be four global music areas…

Phoenix auditorium:
The evening programme will start with an opening ceremony by KAGEMUSHA TAIKO, ultra-precise Japanese power-drumming at its best: colourful, exciting and enthralling! They will be followed by DJ AMBIESSENCE, keeping the beats moving between live acts with his acclaimed ethno-trance mixing. NUCLEUS ROOTS then take the stage with their brand of top-notch dub reggae from the Zion Train stable. Headlining on this stage are the legendary global beat pioneers TRANSGLOBAL UNDERGROUND. Their cut-down sound system rammed Exeter Phoenix last year, now their full six-piece line-up will combine an eclectic range of ethnic chants, melodies and instrumentation with powerful dance beats. Mental Projections will add unique video projection to the mix. Auditorium décor will include giant banners made by local members of the Chinese community .

World of rhythm marquee:
MOMO stands for MUSIC OF MOROCCAN ORIGIN and they headline on this stage. Veterans of WOMAD and other international festivals, MOMO blend gorgeous vocals, chants and live percussion with the finest dance beats. They will be joined by KAUSARY, a seven-piece of Andean musicians from Peru, Chile, Venezuela and Argentina who have performed their infectious Latin set at the Eden Project and, believe it or not, on Blue Peter! DJ PURPLE RABBIT & FRIENDS will be hosting this stage and there will be a samba grand-finale from the 25-strong STREET HEAT! There will be soul food stalls complimented by great décor in this lovely carpeted marquee.

Phoenix bar
DJ RADIO BUSH TELEGRAPH AND GUESTS will spin an eclectic mixture of world music in the Phoenix bar gallery, which will be decorated with display material and illustrations celebrating our diverse local communities.

Outdoor chillout zone
Weather permitting, chilled DJ THE ICONOCLAST will host our outdoor area, where you’ll be able to relax to an eclectic, ambient soundtrack courtesy of a range of local electronic artists from the ST DAVID’S AMBIENCE SOCIETY.

Four bars, smart lights, great décor, ethnic food stalls and the most positive vibe around will make Respect a true celebration of global diversity, and easily the most eclectic world music event the city has ever witnessed! Tickets for the evening programme are still available from Exeter Phoenix box office, telephone 01392 667080. Advance tickets: £12 (£10 conc.); On door: £14 (£12 conc.)

Notes:

1. The Exeter Respect Festival 2003 is jointly organised by the Exeter Respect Group and the Future Sound of Exeter.

2. Exeter Respect Group is a broad coalition of voluntary organisations, representatives of statutory bodies, trades unions and members of minority ethnic groups in Exeter. Exeter Respect Group aims to campaign against racism by promoting racial equality and diversity, through a wide range of cultural and educational activities in the wider community. Further information, contact:

Jon McKenzie: 01392 455619 (work) or 07770 981035 (mobile)
Email:  jon.mckenzie@citizensadvice.org.uk (work) or
 ncrmsouthwest@aol.com (alternative email)

3. The Future Sound of Exeter is a non-profit collective which promotes local music by organising events at Exeter Phoenix and other venues. FSOE have released 5 CDs of local artists, with a sixth disk due out this summer. FSOE has been in existence since 1996. Further information, contact:

Paul Giblin: 01392 382566 (work) or 01392 676550 (home)
Email:  pgiblin@devon.gov.uk (work) or  paulg@unisonfree.net (home)

For instant photos of musical and other activity please email:  fsoe@blueyonder.co.uk